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azren-delmare
Reviews
Paint Drying (2016)
A brilliant satire!
While some might balk at the 10 hour run time, I can wholeheartedly say that it is completely worth the time. It is especially valuable for those who are in, or are considering entering, the field of politics; the patience required to truly appreciate this work will prepare you for the drudge of your chosen career.
Those who *can* appreciate the brilliance of "Paint Drying" will find it extremely fulfilling, and an incredible satire on modern filmmaking; the drying paint is symbolic of how after the exciting parts (the painting equaling the writing, acting, etc.), everyone involved in the production must sit through the meticulous post-filming processes (editing, sfx, etc), which can take a seemingly interminable amount of time.
I won't spoil the ending, but suffice to say, it was a satisfying conclusion to the hours I had spent on the edge of my seat, with my eyes glued to the screen.
(Also, Charlie Lyne is amazing for this beautiful joke!)
Maleficent (2014)
Pretty, but pretty infuriating
I'll start this with the good points: Angelina Jolie does an absolutely amazing job as the Dark Fairy Maleficent. The various acting jobs range from acceptable (the three fairies) to quite impressive (Maleficent and Aurora in particular). Also, the effects and design are simply gorgeous. The magical effects and creatures are wonderful, and just look great.
Now the bad: I had really hoped Disney was above the trend of gritty reboots/remakes, but I have been sorely disappointed. The draw of Maleficent in the classic Sleeping Beauty was how incredible a villain she was; she was just plain evil. By turning her into a character who is not only sympathetic, but eventually heroic, this movie does a great disservice to the character who invoked "all the powers of Hell" to ensure her victory. Maleficent watches over the young Aurora, keeping her safe, while the three bumbling fairies maintain *complete* uselessness for the sake of comic relief. Eventually, after she and Aurora meet face to face, Maleficent begins to lament her death curse, even trying (and failing) to undo it. By the end of the film, one is supposed to be rooting for Maleficent, because the kingdom of humans is corrupt, greedy, and evil, the king completely insane.
I cannot imagine what executive thought this would be a good idea, but it falls prey to "Gritty Reboot Syndrome," resulting in something that feels more like "character named after the ones in that other movie," instead of a different interpretation. I don't quite mean to say that the movie should have been exactly like Sleeping Beauty, but it just shows no respect for the classic in the first place. Don't waste your time.